Specs

Dabney and Davis got new glasses for Saint Patrick's Day!
(We're thankful their eye clinic was still open)

Both kiddos have unique eyes.
Our sweet Dabney requires an extreme farsighted prescription to help her see her world well.  Her eyes have changed since she was first in glasses 3-1/2 years ago, requiring a slightly stronger prescription.  She's currently a +8.5 and a +9.25 (anything greater than +5 is considered extreme).  Our 6-year-old sure is cute in her new frames . . . and she looks so much older!

Davis only needs a corrective lens for one eye.  It's unusual to have such an imbalance in eyes' sight, but we're thankful to see improvement in his weaker eye since his last pair of glasses.  His current prescription only a moderate -3.5 for his left eye.  Handsome boy!

It took 3 weeks for these glasses to come in . . . unfortunately, Dabney had forgotten which pair of glasses we had chosen.  Unbeknownst to me, she was expecting to pick up a sparkly pink pair rather than the rainbow sprinkles.  Her sweet face fell when the glasses were revealed. 

"When I'm happy I dance.  I am not dancing."   

Thankfully she got over it quickly :)

Social Distancing

In this time of social distancing, with activities canceled and opportunities to get together with friends halted, it's more important than ever to get outside.

We're thankful for spring time.

The kids have been enjoying riding bikes, playing ball, hiking through the woods, walking and jogging in the neighborhood, and exploring the elementary school playground behind our property (pretty magical!).

The world has changed, but I'm always thankful for time together and time outside.

We want to protect our kids, but it's more important to equip them.  We can grieve and we can pray; we can be scared and uncertain; we can feel hope and see God in all situations.  We're all learning from this.  They will remember this time.

We're thankful for relatively minimal disruption to our day - and thankful for our health.  
With closures to prevent community spread of coronavirus, track season for Tesfaye has been suspended, dance classes for the girls are canceled, swimming for Burke postponed,  the library closed, the homeschool convention was canceled, the BMV closed (Hendrick had an appointment to take his driver's test this week.  Bummer!) . . . and we had to postpone a visit with family.

We're hoping this time is short.  We're hoping social distancing is effective.

Pandemic

These are unprecedented times for all of us around the world.  New alarming words and phrases have been added to our everyday: social distancing, shelter at home, global pandemic, federal emergency, epicenter, quarantine, coronavirus, COVID-19.

We're all affected.  Americans are working to stay ahead of the virus that's a nightmare throughout Asia and Europe.  Schools are closed, restaurants and stores are closed, events are canceled, spring sports are suspended, Mass is canceled, people are working from home.  Grocery stores are out of stock, hand sanitizer is unavailable, there are limits on bread and milk and toilet paper.  President Trump declared all gatherings are to be limited to 10 people.  We are to keep 6 feet from one another.
It's a scary and uncertain time.  We pray this quarantine and social distancing can prevent or reduce the mass infection and casualty that this new virus causes.  The hope is to slow the spread.  We're taking this seriously.  The numbers heard on the news each day from China, Iran, and Italy are heartbreaking.

We're reminded to sanitize door knobs, wash your hands thoroughly and regularly, stay home, maintain safe distance to non-household members . . . and go outside (just to be outside!).

There is hope in this situation.  We pray for those who have suffered and who are suffering.  We pray for those struggling with isolation in this time.  We pray for the health care workers who are on the front line helping to fight this virus.

This is not a punishment.  This can be a time of grace.  We are thankful for hope in all situations.

It's beautiful and encouraging to see people rise above, spreading messages of hope and love in this time. We're are thankful for our technology to help us stay connected to friends and family.  It's different.  It's uncertain.  We're not sure what tomorrow will bring or how long this will last. 

This is a time to hold close to your family.  This is a time to share love.  This is a time for grace. 
This is a time to cling to God. 

Winter Warm Up

Our latest house craze - homemade freezer juice pops. 
And with the warmer winter temperatures, the kids have all enjoyed lots of time outside.

(It's crazy to think our Minnesota home is still blanketed in snow - we do miss it)